Reports: Jets Discussing Trade With 49ers For Kaepernick
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Jets are one of three teams discussing a possible trade with the San Francisco 49ers for quarterback Colin Kaepernick, according to multiple reports.
Word of the trade talks is further indication negotiations between the Jets and free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick are at an impasse.
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Kaepernick, 28, has reportedly asked to be traded out of San Francisco, although the 49ers have previously insisted they're not interested in dealing him. Last month, the New York Daily News' Manish Mehta reported that the Jets were Kaepernick's preferred destination.
"He's not happy with the organization, and he has professional and personal reasons for wanting to play for the Jets," Mehta told WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts. "The Jets are not the only team that he would be happy playing for. It's just the team he would prefer."
CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora later reported the Jets were not interested in Kaepernick, as general manager Mike Maccagnan hoped to re-sign Fitzpatrick.
But Fitzpatrick and the Jets are "nowhere close" to reaching a deal, ESPN reported Thursday. The Jets were hoping to pay him $8 million to $10 million, but, after Philadelphia's Sam Bradford and Houston's Brock Osweiler inked $18 million-a-year deals, Fitzpatrick, who set a team record with 31 touchdown passes and led the Jets to a 10-6 record in 2015, wants significantly more, according to reports.
The Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns are also involved in talks to acquire Kaepernick, Comcast Sportsnet in the Bay Area reported. The NFL Network reported Thursday that talks between the defending champion Broncos and the 49ers have "intensified."
The 49ers are asking for a second-round draft pick, according to the NFL Network.
Kaepernick is under contract through 2020 and is due more than $77 million in base salary over the next five seasons, meaning his dealmight have to be reworked to help facilitate a trade.
Kaepernick, who led San Francisco to the Super Bowl three years ago, was benched for backup Blaine Gabbert after a 2-6 start this past season. Two weeks later, the 49ers placed Kaepernick on season-ending injured reserve with a hurt shoulder, reportedly at the quarterback's request.
